2026 MD 4A North Region Preview: Predictions, Top Prospects

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>QUICK OVERVIEW</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2025 season left Class 4A North with a clear hierarchy. Paint Branch and Wheaton both finished 8-3. The Panthers stood alone atop the standings after going undefeated in region play and allowing the fewest points. Paint Branch also advanced the furthest, reaching the state quarterfinals. Bethesda-Chevy Chase, Blake, and Blair posted winning or .500 records and remain dangerous. Laurel looks to climb. Northwestern searches for traction. As 2026 approaches, the North is stacked with proven programs at the top and parity in the middle of the pack. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2025 final 4A North standings</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:table --> <figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><thead><tr><th>Team</th><th>OVR</th><th>PCT</th><th>PF</th><th>PA</th><th>Home</th><th>Away</th><th>Streak</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Paint Branch</td><td>8-3</td><td>.727</td><td>379</td><td>134</td><td>5-2</td><td>3-1</td><td>L1</td></tr><tr><td>Wheaton</td><td>8-3</td><td>.727</td><td>335</td><td>190</td><td>5-2</td><td>3-1</td><td>L1</td></tr><tr><td>Bethesda-Chevy Chase</td><td>6-4</td><td>.600</td><td>251</td><td>153</td><td>3-2</td><td>3-2</td><td>L1</td></tr><tr><td>Blake</td><td>6-5</td><td>.545</td><td>284</td><td>166</td><td>4-1</td><td>2-4</td><td>L1</td></tr><tr><td>Blair</td><td>6-6</td><td>.500</td><td>247</td><td>325</td><td>3-2</td><td>3-4</td><td>L1</td></tr><tr><td>Laurel</td><td>5-5</td><td>.500</td><td>209</td><td>273</td><td>2-3</td><td>3-2</td><td>L1</td></tr><tr><td>Northwestern</td><td>1-9</td><td>.100</td><td>44</td><td>405</td><td>1-4</td><td>0-5</td><td>L5</td></tr><tr><td>High Point</td><td>0-0</td><td>.000</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0-0</td><td>0-0</td><td>—</td></tr></tbody></table></figure> <!-- /wp:table --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 RECORD AND TOP RANKED PROSPECTS ON EACH TEAM</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Paint Branch (2025 record 8-3)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>No. 101 – [player_tooltip player_id='1628790' first='Alijah' last='Bah'], 5'10"/180, RB</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bah was a beast last season, finishing with 1,280 rushing yards and 18 rushing touchdowns on 147 carries in 11 games last season. <br>No. 196 – [player_tooltip player_id='1630036' first='Raheim' last='Briddell'], 6'0"/185, DB</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Briddell finished with 50 total tackles (16 solo) and three interceptions in 10 games last season. <br>No. 296 – Dean Belli, 6'5"/290, OL<br>No. 303 – [player_tooltip player_id='2107871' first='Jahmarley' last='Forrester'], 6'2"/165, DB</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Forrester finished with 28 total tackles (18 solo) last season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Wheaton (2025 record: 8-3)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>No. 254 – [player_tooltip player_id='2241072' first='Andy' last='Lopez'], 6'3"/260, DL<br>No. 327 – [player_tooltip player_id='2108336' first='Adam' last='Cary'], 6'1"/205, DL/RB<br>No. 388 – [player_tooltip player_id='1709916' first='Osi' last='Igwe'], 6'2"/266, DL/OL<br>No. 419 – [player_tooltip player_id='2241774' first='Elkanah' last='Johnson'], 6'4"/180, ATH</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bethesda-Chevy Chase (2025 record: 6-4)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>No. 230 – Aiah Mbayo, 5'10"/165, DB</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mbayo made 18 total tackles in eight games last season. <br>No. 307 – [player_tooltip player_id='2241116' first='John' last='Moran'], 5'10"/160, P<br>No. 409 – [player_tooltip player_id='2241618' first='Jack' last='Djikiage'], 6'0"/245, DL<br>No. 488 – [player_tooltip player_id='945191' first='De'Andre' last='Blakeney'], 5'11"/230, DL</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Blakeney was credited with 30 total tackles (20 solo) in eight games last season. <br>No. 501 – Cole Delfin, 6'2"/190, ATH<br>No. 523 – Jayson Ortiz, 5'11"/270, OL<br>No. 571 – Dez Markarian, 5'10"/135, DB<br>No. 579 – Isaac Biel, 5'11"/185, EDGE<br>No. 588 – [player_tooltip player_id='2241951' first='JP' last='Ciavola'], 5'9"/190, LB<br>No. 604 – Thomas Hill, 5'11"/180, LB</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Blake (2025 record 6-5)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>No. 136 – [player_tooltip player_id='2084548' first='Yovanny' last='Tama'], 6'4"/225, EDGE<br>No. 324 – [player_tooltip player_id='1631078' first='Adrian' last='McDaniels'], 6'3"/185, ATH<br>No. 360 – Ryder Maldonado, 6'2"/215, TE<br>No. 484 – [player_tooltip player_id='1651051' first='Wilton' last='Cameron'], 5'10"/175, QB/ATH</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cameron finished with 1,682 passing yards, 25 passing touchdowns, and two rushing touchdowns. <br>No. 511 – Tatum Bell, 6'0"/180, DB</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Blair (2025 record 6-6)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>No. 203 – [player_tooltip player_id='2107606' first='Noah' last='Smyth'], 5'11"/160, DB</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Smyth finished with 21 total tackles (18 solo) and four interceptions last season. <br>No. 272 – Michel Ebongue, 6'4"/240, DL<br>No. 359 – [player_tooltip player_id='2092203' first='Malachi' last='Rice'], 6'0"/185, QB<br>No. 420 – [player_tooltip player_id='2136776' first='Kysen' last='Harris'], 5'10"/170, WR</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Laurel (2025 record 5-5)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>No. 257 – Kareem Oyekan, 6'2"/160/WR</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Okeyan caught 34 passes for 561 yards and seven touchdowns in 10 games last season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>No. 401 – [player_tooltip player_id='1631817' first='Demerius' last='Custis'], 5'11"/180, QB/ATH</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Custis completed 78-of-163 passes for 1,005 yards, 12 touchdowns and seven interceptions last season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Northwestern (2025 record 1-9)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>No.&nbsp;249&nbsp;–&nbsp;Aaron&nbsp;Rivers,&nbsp;6'0"/185,&nbsp;RB/LB</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>No.&nbsp;258&nbsp;–&nbsp;Emet&nbsp;Choy,&nbsp;6'1"/185,&nbsp;LB</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>THE FAVORITE: PAINT BRANCH</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>PB has earned the No. 1 seed in the region for the past couple of years. Hard to bet against them. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TOP CHALLENGER: BETHESDA CHEVY-CHASE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>BCC has a lot of talent returning and could give Paint Branch a run for its money for the top seed in the region.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->